The Day of Peter and Fevronia in pre-revolutionary Russia was widely celebrated, the deeds of the saints were known to the nobility and ordinary people. People of different status in society turned to them for help in creating a family, because marriage is the most important component of life. In the Russian tradition, these saints have become the personification of family love, accessible to every person. They help not only in creating a marriage. Couples who dream of having a child ask for help with sincere prayer, many receive it soon. It is no coincidence that there is a monument to Fevronia and Peter in many cities of Russia. These monuments are being installed as part of the "In the family circle" program.
Family Circle Program
The program "In the family circle" was launched in 2004 and received the blessing of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II. Her mission is to revive family values, which since ancient times include having many children, caring for the elderly, fidelity, the joy of motherhood and fatherhood, and a responsible attitude to marriage. Saints are the best role modelsPeter and Fevronia of Murom, who lived a wonderful pious family life, thus proving that eternal love exists.
Monuments to Fevronia and Peter are being erected in many Russian cities as part of the program. The legend about the life of this married couple is being revived and helps young people to gain an understanding that marriage is not just a beautiful ritual, but also a long life together, in which not everything is always smooth, but difficulties are overcome only by common efforts.
Peter and Fevronia: legend
The story of Peter and Fevronia happened in the 12-13th century in the city of Murom. The chronicles say that Fevronia was from the common people, her father was a tree climber (he extracted honey from wild bees in hollows of trees). Peter belonged to a princely family. Having defeated the fiery serpent, Peter fell ill: his whole body was covered with scabs, since he was stained with the blood of a snake. No one could help him, the doctors were powerless. But he became aware that a simple girl, Fevronia, who lives in the village of Laskovo, located in the Ryazan land, can cure him.
Fevronia was a deeply religious girl, gifted with the talent of foresight. She agreed to help, but she could cure the disease only if Peter took her as his wife. He promised, but, having been healed, he decided to buy off the commoner with expensive gifts, she did not accept them, and the young man fell ill again. Returning for help a second time, he received it again and this time got married. Having received the princely throne in Murom, the family couple ruled with good deeds, but the boyar wives did not like that they were ruled by a commoner, and they asked Petersend his wife or go away with her.
The family couple left, and riots began in Murom, blood was shed, the boyars could not choose a new ruler and sent a messenger to Peter and Fevronia with a request to return to the principality, which they did without showing any offense. Three children were born to the Murom rulers, they lived a long life, took tonsure in old age, retired to monasteries. Their only desire was to die on the same day and be buried in the same coffin, which had already been prepared: a stone domina divided by a thin partition. When the time came, it happened. By tradition, monks of different sexes are not buried together. Three times they tried to separate them before burial, and all three times miraculously they ended up together, then the people decided that it was so pleasing to God.
The spouses were buried in the cathedral church of Murom, which was erected in gratitude for the military victory by Tsar Ivan the Terrible. During the Soviet period, the relics of the saints were exhibited in the museum, and since 1992 they have been buried in the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Murom. Memorial Day of the holy married couple is celebrated on June 25. The monument to Fevronia and Peter is being erected in many cities as a reminder of the value and inviolability of family and love.
Monument in Murom
On July 7, 2012, on the eve of the holiday of love and fidelity, a monument to Peter and Fevronia was opened in Murom. It is located near the Trinity Convent, on Peasant Square. The opening was held in a solemn atmosphere, the celebration was attended by officials and many Murom residents who knowthe history of his saints in every detail.
The monument to Fevronia and Peter was created by sculptor V. Surovtsev and architect V. Syagin. The funds were provided by private individuals. The sculptural group is replete with symbols: the sword in the prince's hands is a symbol of the inviolability and strength of the Russian spirit, and the princess covering her husband's shoulders with her veil is a symbol of female wisdom, patronage and inspiration. At the feet of the couple, a rabbit frolics, symbolizing fertility. It is known from legend that such an animal was a family pet.
Now it has become a good tradition for newlyweds to come to the monument to Peter and Fevronia on their wedding day in Murom. The townspeople fell in love with the sculpture for its artlessness, kindness, and the rabbit evokes the most joyful emotions in kids.
Annunciation Monument
In the city of Blagoveshchensk, Amur Region, the monument to Peter and Fevronia was erected on the Day of Love, Family and Fidelity, in 2011. In addition, the 155th anniversary of the city was celebrated on the day of the consecration of the monument. The sculptural group consists of figures of a man and a woman, dressed in traditional Russian clothes with princely distinctions. In the hands of the spouses they hold doves - a symbol of meekness and harmony. The author of the sculpture is K. Chernyavsky. Patrons' money was spent on the creation of the monument. The monument was erected near the main city registry office.
On the day of the opening of the monument to family and love in the city of Blagoveshchensk, it was consecrated by Archbishop Gabriel, who manages the entire Blagoveshchensk diocesan life. Officials took part in the opening of the new symbol of the cityfaces and citizens of the city.
South Monument
The monument to Peter and Fevronia in Sochi was opened in 2009. The event traditionally took place on July 8. The height of the sculptural group is more than 3 meters. This version of the monument depicts male and female figures in monastic robes, striving towards each other. Their meeting is about to take place, it seems that only a light touch of the hands is missing to make the sculptures come to life.
Married couples who have been married for more than forty years were invited to the opening of the monument. You can see it in the building of the central Sochi registry office. During its existence, it has gained popularity among newlyweds, residents and guests of the city, becoming another attraction of the southern resort.
Monument in Arkhangelsk
The monument to Peter and Fevronia in Arkhangelsk is installed at the intersection of st. Loginov and the embankment over the Northern Dvina, near the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The opening took place in 2009 and was timed to coincide with the family holiday. The height of the monument is more than three meters. The sculptor of the composition is K. Chernyavsky, who became the author of most of the monuments of the family couple in Russia.
According to the idea of the author, the sculptural composition reflects the moment of the return of the princely couple to Murom. Today, the monument has become a place of traditional pilgrimage for newlyweds, where they bring flowers, take a memorable photo and leave closed locks, which, according to signs, guarantee a strong indestructible marriage.
Yaroslavl landmark
As part of the "In the family circle" program, the monument to Peter and Fevronia in Yaroslavl was opened in 2009 on Pervomaisky Boulevard, not far from the Kazan Monastery. The ceremony was attended by the author of the sculpture K. Chernyavsky, the administration and the clergy of the city. Also invited were couples who have already celebrated more than a quarter of a century of marriage. They were presented with awards at the opening ceremony.
The newlyweds of Yaroslavl are happy to bring flowers to the monument and ask the saints to bless them for a long life together in love and harmony.
Peter and Fevronia in Yeysk
The monument to Fevronia and Peter in Yeysk was erected in the park named after Ivan Poddubny, on the "Happy Childhood" alley. The event took place in 2010, the author of this monument was the sculptor A. Sknarin, the monument reaches a height of three meters and is cast in bronze. It was originally intended for the city of Bataysk (Rostov region), but fate decreed otherwise, which the townspeople are happy about.
For many years, the newlyweds of Yeysk have been coming to the monument of Murom saints to honor their memory and enlist support in their family life. Children often play near the foot of the monument and look at the wedding procession, while the bride and groom ask to give them the same strong love and mutual respect that Peter and Fevronia had. In memory of the wedding day, they tie ribbons and lay bouquets.
A tradition for everyone
The program "In the family circle" unites the entire Russian society with the idea of reviving true values. The basis of a happy life and well-being of the whole country is a strong, large family, where all children are loved, and where grandparents are honored and respected. A good family is a small community where love, forgiveness, understanding and support live.
Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom are not accidentally chosen as a symbol of the rebirth of the Russian family. We understand their aspirations and life, by their actions they are an example of unquenchable attention to each other, fidelity, prosperity, constancy and love. It is not known when beauty will save the world, but love always does this, and this has been known since the time of Peter and Fevronia.
